Geography

Paraguay covers an area of 406.752 km² and is divided into two distinct natural regions: the West Region and the East Region, each of which has its own particular features. The entire territory is divided into 17 departments and a capital district. The country shares borders with Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.

Asunción, the capital city of Paraguay

Although Paraguay lacks maritime access, the territory is crossed by numerous flows of water, which make up the vital hydrographic network of the Cuenta del Plata, in addition to the Acuifero Guarani, the latter of which is considered one of the largest freshwater reserves on the planet.

Asunción, with approximately 520,000 inhabitants, offers the profile of a cosmopolitan city with its wide tree-lined avenues, full of flowers and blossoms from each season of the year. Asunción also possesses an infrastructure of hotels, shopping malls, cinemas, and theatres. Other important cities from around the country include Encarnación, Ciudad del Este, and Pedro Juan Caballero.

History

1524

Arrival of the explorers Alejo García and Sebastián Gaboto to Paraguay

1537

Founding of Asunción City

1811

Independence of the Republic of Paraguay

1864 – 1870

The War of the Triple Alliance (against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay)

1889

Founding of the National University of Asunción

1919

Beginning of diplomatic relations between Paraguay and Japan

1932 – 1935

The Chaco War (against Bolivia)

1936

Start of Japanese immigration to Paraguay

1947

Civil War

1954 – 1989

Dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner

1989

Establishment of the 1992 Constitution, a democratic system of government